A new report looks at how the federal government can leverage the arts to foster healthy aging and inclusive design for this growing population. This white paper features recommendations from the May 2015 Summit on Creativity and Aging in America, a convening of more than 70 experts hosted by the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Center for Creative Aging.
Civic Engagement/Community Development
Literature Review on Cultural Equity in the Arts
In the US, discussions about diversity and cultural equity in the arts related to public policy date at least as far back as the founding of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in 1965. The emergence of the NEA raised pointed questions about the public or “social value” of art as opposed to its aesthetic or “intrinsic value.” The NEA ultimately attempted to balance these “populist” and “elitist” perspectives, with the understanding that “art for art’s sake has never been a sufficient rationale for public support of the arts” (Mulcahy & Wyzomirski, 1995). In fact, “old” ideas about art such as limiting audience participation to a passive role and a focus on art for art’s sake have come to be seen as a barrier to discovering the roles art and cultural activities can play in bringing diverse people together through an artistic process that reveals cultural assets and strengthens communities (Jackson, 2009). The term “cultural equity” appears as early as 1978 in an NEA audience study where it is defined as a right to be both a producer and consumer of culture.
While these terms and concepts have changed over time, discussions of diversity, cultural equity and inclusion in the field of arts and culture have not moved in a linear fashion. Language used to write and talk about those issues has changed, as have definitions of the “problem” to be “solved.” However, issues raised as early as 1965 and even earlier continue to be issues today.
Arts and Intra-Community Strength
This essay looks at how transformations in the definition of “community” are changing how and where communities find strength and cohesion, as well as the role that the arts may play in positively impacting those changes over the 10–15 years.
Arts, Transportation, and Infrastructure
This essay looks at how America’s transportation and building infrastructure will shift and transform over the next 10–15 years, as well as the role that the arts may play in positively impacting those changes.
Arts, Political Activation, and Immigration
This essay looks at changes in the meaning of citizenship and political activation of individuals, particularly through the lens of immigration issues, and the role that the arts may play in positively impacting those changes over the next 10–15 years.
Arts and Inter-Community Connection
This essay looks at America’s changing communities and how they have and will interact with each other, as well as the role that the arts may play in positively impacting those changes over the next 10–15 years.
